State and local leaders gathered Friday to cut the ribbon on major upgrades at Meaher State Park, a popular gateway to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

The improvements include 45 new luxury RV campsites, a new bathhouse with 11 family-style restrooms, four tiny cabins overlooking the water and a new park headquarters that houses staff offices and an interpretive center according to a news release. Motorists along U.S. 90/98, known as the Causeway or Battleship Parkway, will also notice a new entrance gate and exterior fence.

“We’ve made it no secret that our goal is to provide a first-class experience for all of our visitors at our State Parks, especially when it comes to overnight accommodations,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “We know the upgrades at Meaher State Park help accomplish that goal. The additional campground spaces, as well as the beautiful tiny cabins, mean that more people than ever can visit and enjoy this park.”

The campground expansion is the centerpiece of the project, offering full water, power and sewer hook-ups for RV visitors. The new cabins, each with waterfront views, are designed to expand lodging options beyond traditional campsites.

Meaher State Park draws thousands of visitors each year and is a convenient stop for RV campers thanks to its proximity to Gulf Coast beaches, Interstate 10 and the Eastern Shore. It has also become a day-trip favorite for fishing, birdwatching, kayaking and nature walks.

“The upgrades here at Meaher State Park are amazing,” said state Sen. Chris Elliott. “There are so many activities that draw people to the park, from fishing to birdwatching to kayaking to just relaxing and enjoying nature. It’s truly gratifying to see these fantastic upgrades and to know it means more people will enjoy this beautiful park.”

Funding for the campground and bathhouse improvements came through the RESTORE Act, which directs resources from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement to Gulf Coast projects. Additional work, including upgrades to the campground store, was supported by $80 million in state park bonds approved by Alabama voters in 2022, along with $1.1 million from the state’s GOMESA grant program, funded by offshore oil and gas leasing.

Reservations for the upgraded sites and cabins are available at www.alapark.com under the “Plan Your Alabama State Parks Adventure Online” portal. Officials recommend booking in advance to secure preferred dates.

The Meaher project is part of a larger effort to enhance Alabama’s State Parks system. Recent ribbon cuttings include new cottages and campground improvements at Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City and a new playground at Chewacla State Park in Auburn. Major projects are also underway, with completion expected in 2026, including a new lodge at Cheaha State Park, a total renovation of Lake Lurleen State Park and a campground expansion at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, which was named one of the nation’s top RV destinations earlier this year.

“It’s truly an exciting time in our State Parks, because we have so many incredible projects under construction or finishing,” said State Parks Director Matthew Capps. “The completion of this project at Meaher State Park should re-invigorate this park, and these upgrades definitely make the park better than it’s ever been.”